Additionally, the three-day Comiket is the largest fan event in the world (over half a million attended the last Comiket). Though, for me (and many other gaijin) since most of the merchandise sold at Comiket is in Japanese, there is one aspect which drew me to this event the first time, and continues to draw me in every time since: cosplay!
As you may have read in my Tokyo Game Show post, cosplay is one of things I've loved from first sight. I love photography, especially people photography, and cosplay photography goes a level beyond that. There's just something about capturing a face, with a costume that the face is trying to blend in with, to bring a character alive before your lens. And in Japan, where the word originated, cosplay is not only cool but feels like it's at its home.
Comiket is one of the biggest gatherings of cosplayers in Japan, and the costumes mostly center around manga. But I've seen my share of video game, anime, and even western/international genre costumes in effect at Comiket. It's safe to say that all comers are welcome in the cosplay world of Comiket.
Also, I feel it mandatory to say that this is one of the best deals to be had in the event market. Because, this event is free! You will not find a better deal, for this type of event, anywhere! This is one of the best bang4the buck blog bargains (5B) I'll ever recommend!
I've been to Comiket a total of nine (9!) times so far, and each time my camera has gotten an intense 3-4 hour workout, along with my shoes.
Not to say I don't visit the booths/commercial areas of Comiket. I've gone each time the last few years and it has gotten more appealing to my personal preferences, especially with my love for KanColle, which has had an official booth/sales area. And the merchandise gradually has been getting more foreigner friendly, with the emergence of some English media, and artwork which transcends the language barrier.
But still... cosplay. In Japan, at Comiket. You have to be there at least once to see it (and tell the tale).
Recommendations:
- Have lunch, then go to Comiket. Trying to get there at event opening time (10:00) will put you in line with everyone in those popular Comiket opening photos where the line/mob stretches about two Yurikamome stations away from the event itself and makes the stations near Tokyo Big Sight extremely crowded and slow. I've always gone in the afternoon and have never encountered a line to get in. Speaking of lunch...
- Lunch at a location other than Tokyo Big Sight if possible. As you can imagine, with this many people, the onsite lunch options will be ridiculously crowded and waiting lines will be miserable. Have lunch in the Toyosu or Shimbashi station areas... both are on the Yurikamome Line, which Kokusai-Tenjijo Seimon Station (where Tokyo Big Sight is) is on.
- Summer Comiket can be brutally hot and humid, while Winter Comiket can be brutally windy and cold. Be prepared...
- Best day to attend (if not trying to get to a specific day's event): second day. Something about that middle day... first day brings in all the excited, last day brings in all the last minute/procrastinates. Day 2 seems to be the least crowded/hectic from my experience.
- Bring the camera, share those photos, bask in all the reaction from your social network.
Specifics:
Comiket
Held every summer (Aug) and winter (late Dec) at Tokyo Big Sight, for three days (will be four days starting in 2019)
Cost: Free (best bank4th buck blog bargain!!!)
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